9.2 Consumer Education Website

Lead Agencies must provide information to parents, the general public, and child care providers through a State or Territory website, which is consumer-friendly and easily accessible for families who speak languages other than English and persons with disabilities. The website must: • Include information to assist families in understanding the Lead Agency’s policies and procedures, including licensing child care providers; • Include monitoring and inspection reports for each provider and, if available, the quality of each provider; • Provide the aggregate number of deaths, serious injuries, and the number of cases of substantiated child abuse that have occurred in child care settings; • Include contact information for local CCR&R organizations to help families access additional information on finding child care; and • Include information on how parents can contact the Lead Agency and other organizations to better understand the information on the website. 9.2.1 Consumer-friendly website Does the Lead Agency ensure that its consumer education website is consumer-friendly and easily accessible? i. Provide the URL for the Lead Agency’s consumer education website homepage: https://marylandchild.org/ ii. Does the Lead Agency certify that the consumer education website ensures broad access to services for families who speak languages other than English? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: iii. Does the Lead Agency certify that the consumer education website ensures broad access to services for persons with disabilities? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 9.2.2 Additional consumer education website links Provide the direct URL/website link for the following: i. Provide the direct URL/website link to how the Lead Agency licenses child care providers: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care-providers/child- care-centers#slideshow https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care-providers/family- child-care-providers#slideshow ii. Provide the direct URL/website link to the processes for conducting monitoring and inspections of child care providers:: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/regulations iii. Provide the direct URL/website link to the policies and procedures related to criminal background checks for staff members of child care providers: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/fingerprinting iv. Provide the direct URL/website link to the offenses that prevent individuals from being employed by a child care provider: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/fingerprinting 9.2.3 Searchable list of providers a. The consumer education website must include a list of all licensed providers searchable by ZIP code. i. Does the Lead Agency certify that the consumer education website includes a list of all licensed providers searchable by ZIP code? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: ii. Provide the direct URL/website link to the list of child care providers searchable by ZIP code: https://marylandexcels.org/directory/ and https://www.checkccmd.org/. iii. In addition to the licensed child care providers that must be included in the searchable list, are there additional providers included in the Lead Agency’s searchable list of child care providers? Check all that apply: [ ] License-exempt center-based CCDF providers. [ ] License-exempt family child care CCDF providers. [ ] License-exempt non-CCDF providers. [ ] Relative CCDF child care providers. [x] Other (e.g., summer camps, public pre-Kindergarten). Describe: MSDE does not regulate summer camps or day camps. The afterschool programs are licensed under the category of Child Care Center and/or Letter of Compliance. b. Identify what additional (optional) information, if any, is available in the searchable results by ZIP code. Check the box when information is provided. Provider Information Available in Searchable Results -- All licensed providers License- exempt CCDF center- based provide rs License- exempt CCDF family child care home provide rs License- exempt non- CCDF provider s Relative CCDF providers Contact information [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Enrollment capacity [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Hours, days, and months of operation [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Provider education and training [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Languages spoken by the caregiver [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Quality information [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Monitoring reports [x] [ ] [ ] [x] [x] Willingness to accept CCDF certificates [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Ages of children served [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Specialization or training for certain populations [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Care provided during nontraditional hours [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] c. Identify any other information searchable on the consumer education website for the child care provider type listed below and then, if checked, describe the searchable information included on the website. i. [ ] All licensed providers. Describe: ii. [ ] License-exempt CCDF center-based providers. Describe: iii. [ ] License-exempt CCDF family child care providers. Describe: iv. [ ] License-exempt, non-CCDF providers. Describe: v. [ ] Relative CCDF providers. Describe: vi. [ ] Other. Describe: 9.2.4 Provider-specific quality information Lead Agencies must identify specific quality information on each child care provider for whom they have this information. Provider-specific quality information must only be posted on the consumer education website if it is available for the individual child care provider. a. What specific quality information does the Lead Agency provide on the website? i. [x] Quality improvement system. ii. [x] National accreditation. iii. [ ] Enhanced licensing system. iv. [ ] Meeting Head Start/Early Head Start Program Performance Standards. v. [x] Meeting pre-Kindergarten quality requirements. vi. [ ] School-age standards. vii. [ ] Quality framework or quality improvement system. viii. [x] Other. Describe: The Prekindergarten website shares a variety of information in support of high quality pre-k. For example, the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant application is currently live. This is a competitive grant program administered by the Division of Early Childhood at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). It provides funding for local education agencies (LEAs) and child care providers to administer high-quality prekindergarten and school readiness services throughout the State for children and their families in alignment with The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The purpose of the grant is to broaden availability and expand access to high-quality prekindergarten educational programming and school readiness services for three- year-old and four-year-old students from families with household incomes up to 300% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For Fiscal Year 2025 funding only, Tier I families include Tier II children with disabilities and children who speak a home language other than English. Tier II children are between 300% and 600% of FPL. Additionally, the website outlines the ￿definition of high-quality pre- kindergarten.￿ This definition applies to publicly-funded prekindergarten. High- Quality Preschool Program means an early learning program that includes structural elements that are evidence-based and nationally recognized as important for ensuring program quality, including at a minimum1 ￿ (a) High staff qualifications, including a teacher holding a State certification for teaching in early childhood education or a bachelor's degree in any field pursuing residency through a State approved alternate pathway, which includes coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of knowledge of content and pedagogy relating to early childhood; as well as a teacher assistant with an AA in Early Childhood, CDA, or enrolled in a program to obtain these credentials (b) High-quality professional development for all staff (must be 15 hours of early childhood PD); (c) A child-to- instructional staff ratio of no more than 10 to 1; (d) A class size of no more than 20 with, at a minimum, one teacher in each classroom with high staff qualifications as outlined in paragraph (a) of this definition; (e) A Full-Day program (6.5 hours); (f) Inclusion of children with disabilities to ensure access to and full participation in all opportunities; (g) Developmentally appropriate, culturally and linguistically responsive instruction and evidence-based curricula, and learning environments that are aligned with the State Early Learning and Development Standards, for at least the year prior to kindergarten entry; (h) Individualized accommodations and supports so that all children can access and participate fully in learning activities (i) Instructional staff salaries are commensurate with the salaries and benefits of local PreK-12 instructional staff; (j) Program evaluation to ensure continuous improvement; (k) On-site or accessible Comprehensive Services for children and community partnerships that promote families' access to services that support their children's learning and development; and (l) Evidence- based health and safety standards. b. For what types of child care providers is quality information available? i. [x] Licensed CCDF providers. Describe the quality information: Workforce Advancement opportunities ￿ training and professional development, Program Accreditation, Maryland EXCELS participation, Early Learning Standards ii. [x] Licensed non-CCDF providers. Describe the quality information: Workforce Advancement opportunities ￿ training and professional development, Program Accreditation, Maryland EXCELS participation, Early Learning Standards iii. [ ] License-exempt center-based CCDF providers. Describe the quality information: iv. [ ] License-exempt FCC CCDF providers. Describe the quality information: v. [ ] License-exempt non-CCDF providers. Describe the quality information: vi. [ ] Relative child care providers. Describe the quality information: vii. [ ] Other. Describe: 9.2.5 Aggregate data on serious injuries, deaths, and substantiated abuse Lead Agencies must post aggregate data on serious injuries, deaths, and substantiated cases of child abuse that have occurred in child care settings each year on the consumer education website. This aggregate data must include information about any child in the care of a provider eligible to receive CCDF, not just children receiving subsidies. This aggregate information on serious injuries and deaths must be separated by category of care (e.g., centers, family child care homes, and in-home care) and licensing status (i.e., licensed or license-exempt) for all eligible CCDF child care providers in the State/Territory. The information on instances of substantiated child abuse does not have to be organized by category of care or licensing status. Information must also include the total number of children in care by provider type and licensing status, so that families can better understand the data presented on serious injuries, deaths, and substantiated cases of abuse. a. Certify by checking below that the required elements are included in the Aggregate Data Report on serious incident data that have occurred in child care settings each year. i. [x] The total number of serious injuries of children in care by provider category and licensing status. ii. [x] The total number of deaths of children in care by provider category and licensing status. iii. [x] The total number of substantiated instances of child abuse in child care settings. iv. [x] The total number of children in care by provider category and licensing status. v. If any of the above elements are not included, describe: b. Certify by providing: i. The designated entity to which child care providers must submit reports of any serious injuries or deaths of children occurring in child care and describe how the Lead Agency obtains the aggregate data from the entity: All child care provider types are required to submit reports of any serious injuries and/or deaths of children while in child care to the licensing offices or to the Informal Provider Team. The report can be obtained from the parent, the child care provider/informal provider, the licensing specialist/Informal Provider team, Department of Human Resources or other government entities. Reports can also be submitted by telephone, email and mail. The data from the reports obtained is aggregated (from Licensing and Informal Care) and posted on the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) website. ii. The definition of “substantiated child abuse” used by the Lead Agency for this requirement: The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) determines whether reported child abuse is indicated (Substantiated) or unsubstantiated. Per the Maryland Code of Family Law, "Indicated" means a finding that there is credible evidence, which has not been satisfactorily refuted, that abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse did occur. iii. The definition of “serious injury” used by the Lead Agency for this requirement: A serious injury is an injury that requires medical attention from a healthcare provider. Death in child care is the death of a child that occurred while the child was in care. A serious injury or death is not necessarily related to licensing violations. c. Provide the direct URL/website link to the page where the aggregate number of serious injuries, deaths, and substantiated child abuse, and the total number of children in care by provider category and licensing status are posted: https://marylandchild.org/wp- content/uploads/2024/02/Serious-Injuries-Deaths-Child-Abuse-Report_2021- 2023_final.pdf 9.2.6 Contact information on referrals to local child care resource and referral organizations The Lead Agency consumer education website must include contact information on referrals to local CCR&R organizations. a. Does the consumer education website include contact information on referrals to local CCR&R organizations? [x] Yes. [ ] No. [ ] Not applicable. The Lead Agency does not have local CCR&R organizations. b. Provide the direct URL/website link to this information: https://www.marylandfamilynetwork.org/for-providers/find-your-child-care-resource- center 9.2.7 Lead Agency contact information for parents The Lead Agency consumer and provider education website must include information on how parents can contact the Lead Agency or its designee and other programs that can help the parent understand information included on the website. a. Does the website provide directions on how parents can contact the Lead Agency or its designee and other programs to help them understand information included on the website? [x] Yes. [ ] No. b. Provide the direct URL/website link to this information: https://marylandchild.org/contact-us/, https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/contact-us, https://provider.childcareportals.org/s/?language=en_US, and https://family.childcareportals.org/ 9.2.8 Posting sliding fee scale, co-payment amount, and policies for waiving co-payments The consumer education website must include the sliding fee scale for parent co-payments, including the co-payment amount a family may expect to pay and policies for waiving co- payments. a. Does the Lead Agency certify that their consumer education website includes the sliding fee scale for parent co-payments, including the co-payment amount a family may expect to pay and policies for waiving co-payments? [x] Yes. [ ] No. b. Provide the direct URL/website link to the sliding fee scale. https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/families/child-care-scholarship- program/child-care-scholarship-rates (*Use Downloads for Formal, Informal, and Unconditional Rates) and https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care- providers/child-care-scholarship-program